Smoking accessory and related methods

ABSTRACT

A smoking accessory includes a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end. The first compartment is configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment is configured to hold smoking material. In addition, the smoking accessory includes a locking device carried by the top end of the housing, and a lid configured to selectively cover the top end of the housing. The lid includes a locking feature and is configured to cooperate with the locking device to retain the lid in at least a closed position. The locking device may include a spring plunger, and the locking feature may include at least one indentation in the lid for receiving the spring plunger.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/560,773 filed Sep. 20, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of smoking, and, more particularly, to a smoking accessory and related methods.

BACKGROUND

The smoking accessory industry is a large and robust industry. Indeed, there is a plethora of smoking accessory types, such as dugouts, lighters, pipes, and other cleaning accessories. The dugout is an accessory that is particularly versatile. The typical dugout includes first and second compartments. The first compartment provides a tobacco store, and the second compartment receives a pipe. Advantageously, this permits the user to smoke conveniently and with enhanced discretion.

SUMMARY

A smoking accessory includes a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end. The first compartment is configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment is configured to hold smoking material. In addition, the smoking accessory includes a locking device carried by the top end of the housing, and a lid configured to selectively cover the top end of the housing. The lid includes a locking feature and is configured to cooperate with the locking device to retain the lid in at least a closed position.

The locking device may include a spring plunger, and the locking feature may include at least one indentation in the lid for receiving the spring plunger. In addition, the top end of the housing may include a channel, and the lid may have a complementary profile for slidably engaging the channel. In another aspect, the lid may be rotatably coupled to the top end.

The housing may also include a third compartment between the first and second compartments, where the third compartment is opening outwardly at the top end and may be configured to hold a smoking device cleaner.

The smoking accessory may also include a wick bobbin carried by the housing and having a wick extending out to the top end of the housing. The smoking accessory may also include a lighter coil carried by the housing and configured to light the wick, and a grinder device within the second compartment configured to grind the smoking material stored therein. In addition, the second compartment includes a bottom end having a well formed therein. In another aspect, the locking device may include a first magnetic body, and the locking feature may include a second magnetic body, where the first and second magnetic bodies are magnetically attracted to each other. The smoking accessory may include a spring within the first compartment to bias the smoking device outwardly.

In another aspect, a smoking accessory includes a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end, where the first compartment is configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment is configured to hold smoking material. The second compartment includes a bottom end having a well therein. In addition, the smoking accessory includes a ball nose spring plunger carried by the top end of the housing, and a lid configured to selectively cover the top end of the housing. The lid may include at least one indentation cooperating with the ball nose spring plunger to retain the lid in at least a closed position.

In another aspect a method of making a smoking accessory includes forming a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end, where the first compartment is configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment configured to hold smoking material. The method also includes positioning a locking device at the top end of the housing, and positioning a lid to selectively cover the top end of the housing. The lid includes a locking feature cooperating with the locking device to retain the lid in at least a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking accessory in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a housing of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of a lid of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a locking device of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is a schematic partial side view of a lid and top end of the housing of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a schematic opposing side view of the partial side view shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional view of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1 having a wick bobbin.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the wick bobbin shown in FIG. 7 in a different orientation.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the housing shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 7 having a lighter coil.

FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the housing shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking accessory in accordance with the invention having a rotating lid.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a housing of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic bottom view of a lid of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross sectional view of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 7 having a grinder device.

FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of the housing shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of the housing of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1 having a magnetic locking device.

FIG. 18 is a schematic bottom view of the lid of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1 having a magnetic locking feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a smoking accessory 100 according to the present disclosure is now described. The smoking accessory 100 illustratively includes a housing 102 having a top end 106. The housing 102 may comprise one or more of a metallic material, a polymer plastic, silver, gold, a ceramic material, and a dentine based material.

The housing 102 illustratively includes a first compartment 108 and a second compartment 110 both opening outwardly at the top end 106. The first compartment 108 is configured to hold a smoking device 130 such as a pipe and illustratively has a cylindrical shape. The second compartment 110 is configured to hold smoking material. In addition, the housing 102 includes a locking device 116 that is carried by the top end 106 of the housing 102.

The first compartment 108 illustratively includes a release device 128 such as a spring, magnetic catch (push to open), mechanical push latch, or a magnet, for example, at a bottom thereof and is configured to bias the smoking device 130 outwardly.

The smoking accessory 100 illustratively includes a lid 104 that is configured to selectively cover the top end 106 of the housing 102. The lid 104 includes a locking feature 122 and cooperates with the locking device 116 to retain the lid 104 to switch between open and closed positions. When the lid 104 is in the open position, the smoking device 130 will extend upward and outward from the first compartment 108 (i.e. popping out of the housing 102) due to the biasing of the release device 128.

The second compartment 110 is configured to receive loose organic smoking material (e.g. combination of one or more of tobacco, cannabis, herbs) for smoking. In some aspects, the second compartment 110 includes a bottom end 133 and a well 134 (i.e. a downward partial protrusion) formed in the bottom end 133 for providing extra capacity. The well 134 provides a “pocket” to catch/round up the last of the loose organic material. In other words, the well 134 is more like a “funnel” to direct/corral the loose organic material into the pipe chamber when packing.

The housing 102 illustratively includes a third compartment 118 between the first and second compartments 108, 110. The third compartment 118 opens outwardly at the top end 106 and is configured to hold a smoking device cleaner 132, for example, a simple rod. A groove 120 may extend from the third compartment 118 across the top end 106 and configured to hold a handle of the smoking device cleaner 132 inserted into the third compartment 118. The third compartment 118 may also include a spring 131 at a bottom thereof to bias the smoking device cleaner 132 outward. In another aspect, there is no spring in the third compartment 118, and the smoking device cleaner 132 is tipped out via gravity (assuming the opening thereto is clear). In other words, the smoking device cleaner 132 is stored conveniently between the first and second compartments 108, 110.

In some aspects, the housing 102 may comprise a large hollowed out cavity comprising a plurality of partitions to define the first, second, and third compartments 108, 110, 118. In other aspects, the housing 102 may comprise a single integral piece (e.g. of metal) where the first, second, and third compartments 108, 110, 118 are machined therein.

The top end 106 may include a locking device 116 configured to bias the lid 104 in the closed position. The lid 104 includes a locking feature 122 that cooperates with the locking device 116 to retain the lid 104 in at least the closed position. The locking device 116 may comprise a spring plunger (e.g., ball plunger, pin plunger, press fit plunger, push fit spring plunger, etc.), for example, configured to extend into one or more indentations 124A, 124B (aligned) in the lid 104. The additional indentations 124A, 124B (i.e. positional stops) may be connected by a groove 126 permitting selective sliding of the lid 104. In some aspects, the indentations 124A, 124B are defined by the lid 104, and the spring plunger 116 is carried by the top end 106. Of course, this arrangement can be reversed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic perspective view of the spring plunger 116 of FIGS. 1-4 is shown. In a particular aspect, the spring plunger 116 may include a ball 140, within a collar 138, and a body containing a spring 137 that applies pressure to the ball 140.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a schematic partial side view of the top end 106 of the housing 102 of the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1 having a lid 104 configured to slide laterally. The top end 106 of the housing 102 includes a channel 112 therein, and the lid 104 may include a complementary profile for slidably engaging the channel 112 using a tongue and groove arrangement. The tongue and groove arrangement illustratively includes opposing beveled edges. In other aspects, the tongue and groove arrangement may comprise straight or curved edges. The lid 104 may also have a recess 114 in the bottom surface thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, in a particular aspect the smoking accessory 100 may include a wick bobbin 142 carried by the housing 102 and having a wick 144 extending out to the top end 106 of the housing 102. The third compartment 118 is not shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 7 for clarity. The wick bobbin 142 (e.g., a hemp wick reel, a braided cotton reel) may be positioned under the second compartment 110, and the housing 102 may include an adjustment device 150 that is configured to permit adjustment of the wick length. In a particular aspect, the adjustment device 150 is an opening (i.e., thumb adjustment opening) in the housing 102 that permits access to the wick 144 with a user's thumb to move the wick 144.

A wick tunnel 152 leads from the wick bobbin 142 up through the housing 102 to the top end 106 and is in communication with the adjustment device 150 and extinguishment tube 146 as shown in FIG. 7. In a particular aspect, the wick tunnel 152 exits within the groove 120 for the handle of the smoking device cleaner 132 as shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 7, the wick bobbin 142 is shown oriented vertically, but it may be oriented horizontally as shown in FIG. 8.

The housing 102 may also include an extinguishment tube 146 that is configured to extinguish a lit wick when the wick 144 is retracted within the extinguishment tube 146 using the adjustment device 150. As will be appreciated, the adjustment device 150 is configured to extend a distal end of the wick 144 past the extinguishment tube 146.

The smoking accessory 100 illustratively includes a lower door 148 configured to be removed to permit access to the wick bobbin 142, for example, for replacement and maintenance.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 10-11, another aspect of the smoking accessory 102 is now described. The third compartment 118 is not shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 10 for clarity. In particular, the smoking accessory 100 may include a lighter coil 154 carried by the housing 102 that is configured to light the wick 144. A battery 158 is coupled to the lighter coil 154 (e.g. glowing coil, or spark/arc device), and an activation switch 156 is coupled between the battery 158 and the lighter coil 154. The activation switch 156 is configured to close the connection with the battery 158 and cause the lighter coil 154 to produce enough heat to light the wick 144. The activation switch 156 may be mounted to the housing 102 to allow the user to activate the lighter coil 154.

In some aspects, a fuel reservoir may be coupled to a fuel dispenser nozzle and configured to emit a controlled stream of fuel adjacent the lighter coil 154 near simultaneously (or simultaneously) with toggling of the activation switch 156. In other aspects, a flint could be used rather than the lighter coil 154 and battery 158 arrangement. The fuel reservoir may store a flammable fluid, for example, butane, propane, naphtha, or aliphatic petroleum solvent.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 12-14, a smoking accessory 200 illustratively includes a lid 204 configured to rotate laterally between open and closed positions, and a screw or pin 205 configured to permit the lid 204 to rotate between the open and closed positions. In addition, a resilient 0-ring 209 may be interposed between a head of the screw 205 and the lid 204 to provide an amount of flexibility for the lid 204 to separate slightly from the top end 206 when opening or closing the lid 204. The top end 206 may carry the pin 205, and the lid 204 may comprise an aperture for receiving the pin 205. Of course, this arrangement also can be reversed in other aspects. The housing 202 illustratively includes a first compartment 208 and a second compartment 210 both opening outwardly at the top end 206. The first compartment 208 is configured to hold a smoking device 130 and the second compartment 210 is configured to hold smoking material. The lid 204 may also have a recess 214 in the bottom surface thereof.

The housing 202 illustratively includes a third compartment 218 between the first and second compartments 208, 210. The third compartment 218 opens outwardly at the top end 206 and is configured to hold a smoking device cleaner 232. A groove 220 may extend from the third compartment 218 across the top end 206 and be configured to hold a handle of the smoking device cleaner 232 inserted into the third compartment 218. In some aspects, the top end 206 may include a locking device 216 configured to bias the lid 204 in the closed position. For example, the locking device may comprise a spring plunger or ball bearing configured to extend into one or more indentations 224A, 224B, 224C (align) in the lid 204 to position the lid to open left, right, or remain in the closed position.

The lid 204 may also include a first ridge 211 that has a complementary size and shape to an open end of the first compartment 208 to secure the smoking device 130 in the first compartment 208. The lid 204 may include a second ridge 213 that has a complementary size and shape to an open end of the second compartment 210, and is configured to slide into the open end of the second compartment 210 in an overlapping relationship and may emanate a “clicking” sound when closing.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 15-16, a smoking accessory 300 illustratively includes grinder device 315A, 315B. Similar to the smoking accessory shown in FIG. 1, the housing 302 illustratively includes a first compartment 308 and a second compartment 310 both opening outwardly at the top end 306, and a third compartment 318 between the first and second compartments 308, 310. The grinder device 315 is configured to grind the smoking material stored in the second compartment 310. As an example, the grinder device 315 may include first and second rollers 315A, 315B having teethed surfaces. In other aspects, the surfaces of the first and second rollers 315A, 315B may each carry a plurality of micro blades. The smoking accessory 300 illustratively includes a lower door 348, which comprises a catchment 317 therein and is configured to collect the grinded smoking material. The lower door 348 may be removed to permit access to the catchment 317 containing the grinded smoking material.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 17-18, another aspect of the locking device and locking feature described with respect to FIGS. 1-3 may comprise a first magnetic body 115 on the top end 106, and having one or more second magnetic bodies 125A, 125B carried by the lid 104. Of course, this arrangement also can be reversed in other aspects.

In another aspect, a method of making a smoking accessory includes forming a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end, where the first compartment is configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment is configured to hold smoking material. The method also includes positioning a locking device at the top end of the housing, and positioning a lid to selectively cover the top end of the housing, where the lid includes a locking feature and cooperates with the locking device to retain the lid in at least a closed position.

The locking device may include a spring plunger, and the locking feature may include at least one indentation in the lid for receiving the spring plunger.

The positioning of the lid may include forming a channel in the top end of the housing, and where the lid has a complementary profile for slidably engaging the channel. The positioning of the lid may also include rotatably positioning the lid to the top end.

In addition, the method may include forming the housing to have a third compartment between the first and second compartments, where the third compartment opens outwardly at the top end and is configured to hold a smoking device cleaner. The second compartment may include a bottom end having a well formed therein. In another aspect, the locking device may include a first magnetic body, and the locking feature may include a second magnetic body, where the first and second magnetic bodies are magnetically attracted to each other.

Advantageously, the above described aspects of the smoking accessory 100, 200, 300 and method provide the user with multi-functional features in a compact design. Indeed, the combination of these features into a traditional and portable smoking accessory provides for ease of use. Moreover, the user is no longer required to carry multiple smoking implements.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A smoking accessory comprising: a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end, the first compartment configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment configured to hold smoking material; a locking device carried by the top end of the housing; and a lid configured to selectively cover the top end of the housing, the lid comprising a locking feature and cooperating with the locking device to retain the lid in at least a closed position.
 2. The smoking accessory of claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises a spring plunger; and wherein the locking feature comprises at least one indentation in the lid for receiving the spring plunger.
 3. The smoking accessory of claim 2, wherein the top end of the housing comprises a channel therein; and wherein the lid comprises a complementary profile for slidably engaging the channel.
 4. The smoking accessory of claim 3, wherein the at least one indentation comprises a plurality thereof.
 5. The smoking accessory of claim 1, wherein the lid is rotatably coupled to the top end.
 6. The smoking accessory of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a third compartment between the first and second compartments, the third compartment opening outwardly at the top end and configured to hold a smoking device cleaner.
 7. The smoking accessory of claim 1, comprising a wick bobbin carried by the housing and having a wick extending out to the top end of the housing.
 8. The smoking accessory of claim 7, comprising a lighter coil carried by the housing and configured to light the wick.
 9. The smoking accessory of claim 1, comprising a grinder device within the second compartment and configured to grind the smoking material stored therein.
 10. The smoking accessory of claim 1, wherein the second compartment comprises a bottom end and a well formed in the bottom end.
 11. The smoking accessory of claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises a first magnetic body, and the locking feature comprises a second magnetic body; and wherein the first and second magnetic bodies are magnetically attracted to each other.
 12. The smoking accessory of claim 1, comprising a spring within the first compartment to bias the smoking device outwardly.
 13. A smoking accessory comprising: a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end, the first compartment configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment configured to hold smoking material, the second compartment comprising a bottom end and a well formed in the bottom end; a spring plunger carried by the top end of the housing; and a lid configured to selectively cover the top end of the housing, the lid comprising at least one indentation and cooperating with the spring plunger to retain the lid in at least a closed position.
 14. The smoking accessory of claim 13, wherein the top end of the housing comprises a channel therein; and wherein the lid comprises a complementary profile for slidably engaging the channel.
 15. The smoking accessory of claim 13, wherein the lid is rotatably coupled to the top end.
 16. The smoking accessory of claim 13, wherein the housing comprises a third compartment between the first and second compartments, the third compartment opening outwardly at the top end and configured to hold a smoking device cleaner.
 17. The smoking accessory of claim 13, comprising a wick bobbin carried by the housing and having a wick extending out to the top end of the housing.
 18. The smoking accessory of claim 17, comprising a lighter coil carried by the housing and configured to light the wick.
 19. The smoking accessory of claim 13, comprising a grinder device within the second compartment and configured to grind the smoking material stored therein.
 20. A method of making a smoking accessory comprising: forming a housing having a top end, and a first compartment and a second compartment both opening outwardly at the top end, the first compartment configured to hold a smoking device, and the second compartment configured to hold smoking material; positioning a locking device at the top end of the housing; and positioning a lid to selectively cover the top end of the housing, the lid comprising a locking feature and cooperating with the locking device to retain the lid in at least a closed position.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the locking device comprises a spring plunger; and wherein the locking feature comprises at least one indentation in the lid for receiving the spring plunger.
 22. The method of claim 21, comprising forming a channel in the top end of the housing; and wherein the lid comprises a complementary profile for slidably engaging the channel.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein positioning the lid comprises rotatably positioning the lid to the top end.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein forming the housing comprises forming the housing to have a third compartment between the first and second compartments, the third compartment opening outwardly at the top end and configured to hold a smoking device cleaner.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the second compartment comprises a bottom end and a well formed in the bottom end.
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein the locking device comprises a first magnetic body, and the locking feature comprises a second magnetic body; and wherein the first and second magnetic bodies are magnetically attracted to each other. 